Mavericks Fall to Celtics, Extend Losing Skid to Five: Player Grades and Game Breakdown
The Dallas Mavericks welcomed the Boston Celtics to town on Tuesday night, and for a moment, it looked like they might snap their four-game skid. But after a promising start, the wheels came off. The Celtics took control in the second quarter and never looked back, handing Dallas a 110-100 loss - their fifth straight defeat, and their longest losing streak of the season.
With the trade deadline looming less than 48 hours away, both teams rolled out full-strength lineups. But for Dallas, the effort just wasn’t enough. Let’s break down how the key contributors fared in this one.
Naji Marshall: C
9 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 31 MIN
Marshall has been a reliable glue guy for stretches this season, but this wasn’t one of those nights. He struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting below 60% from the field - a surprising dip considering how efficient he’s been in recent games.
He did crash the glass well and moved the ball with some purpose, but overall, this outing lacked the impact Dallas needed from him on the wing. The energy was there, but the execution wasn’t.
Max Christie: C
10 PTS | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 30 MIN
Christie’s jumper has cooled off lately, and that continued against Boston. He knocked down a couple of shots early, but faded as the game wore on.
The issue isn’t just the misses - it’s the predictability. He’s been settling for spot-up threes a bit too often, drifting away from the dynamic, multi-level scoring game that made him such a spark earlier in the season.
When Christie is slashing, pulling up from midrange, and making plays, he’s a different player. Dallas could use that version of him right now.
Cooper Flagg: A
36 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST | 2 BLK | 37 MIN
Flagg continues to look like the real deal. With Anthony Davis out, he’s stepped into the spotlight and hasn’t flinched.
He was everywhere in this one - scoring at all three levels, drawing contact, protecting the rim, and keeping the offense flowing. His 36 points came efficiently, and he played with the kind of poise you just don’t see from many players his age.
It’s not just the numbers - it’s how he gets them. Flagg looks comfortable as the focal point, and that’s a big deal for a team searching for answers.
Caleb Martin: B
13 PTS | 6 REB | 3 AST | 29 MIN
Martin quietly put together a solid night. He hit half his shots, played within the flow of the offense, and didn’t turn the ball over.
While he didn’t have any highlight-reel moments, his consistency helped stabilize the second unit. On a night when Dallas needed more from its role players, Martin held up his end of the bargain.
Daniel Gafford: A-
10 PTS | 12 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK | 25 MIN
Gafford gave Dallas everything he had - and then some. He left the game in the second quarter with an ankle tweak but returned and battled through it.
In just 25 minutes, he posted a double-double, protected the rim, and brought the kind of physicality the Mavericks sorely needed. Gafford isn’t a traditional starting center, but he’s been asked to play that role, and he’s doing it with grit.
His effort, especially coming off the injury scare, deserves recognition.
Klay Thompson: C-
This was a rough one for Klay. He couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm, and when the shots aren’t falling, his impact tends to shrink.
He logged limited minutes and struggled to stay on the floor, both due to performance and matchups. It’s clear the Mavericks are still trying to figure out how to best utilize him in their rotation, and nights like this don’t make that job any easier.
Final Takeaway
The Mavericks came out with energy, but it fizzled quickly. After a competitive first quarter, Boston took control, building a lead that swelled past 20 points.
Dallas made a push late, but it never felt like a full-on comeback was in the cards. Too many missed shots, too little defensive resistance, and not enough support around Flagg’s standout performance.
With the trade deadline just around the corner, the pressure is mounting. The Mavericks have talent, but the pieces haven’t quite clicked during this recent slide. Whether a shake-up is coming or not, one thing’s clear: something has to change if Dallas wants to get back on track in a crowded Western Conference.